He compared his World Series ring to a Purple Heart, which is … something you shouldn’t do.
Former Major League pitcher Curt Schilling, known for playing through torn stitches to lead the Red Sox in their comeback against the Yankees, has worn a number of hats since his playing days. His latest role can best be described as “conservative loudmouth.”
His Twitter rant against transgender bathroom rights cost him his job as a baseball analyst on ESPN, and now Schilling hosts a radio show on a Breitbart affiliate. But that hasn’t stopped him from spending his days scrapping with strangers on social media.
Jason Kander, an Afghan war veteran and CNN correspondent, posted a tweet about Donald Trump laying the blame for military failures on soldiers.
POTUS just said our soldiers "don't fight to win." I'd happily introduce him to some friends of mine who have fought pretty hard to win.— Jason Kander (@Jason Kander) 1488214381.0
While the post wasn’t directed at Schilling, the pitcher took the opportunity to respond.
@JasonKander know he was referring to leadership and not the soldiers on the ground. But that doesn't allow you to piss about it of you— Curt Schilling (@Curt Schilling) 1488241506.0
Schilling got called on for being way out of his depth, nevertheless, he persisted.
@etrigan_27 @JasonKander and elsewhere all seemed like warfighters working their asses off to win.Jason, spend much time outside the wire?— Curt Schilling (@Curt Schilling) 1488259467.0
“Outside the wire” equates to time spent outside the relatively safe confines of a base. It’s also a phrase that Schilling uses to posture as a military man.
A LOT of folks did more than me, but yes, I was outside the wire about 4 days/week. How about your deployment, Curt? https://t.co/w8SjOG6K8f— Jason Kander (@Jason Kander) 1488290179.0
Most people would take pause right about here and presumably stand down. But not Schilling. His statements might not be supported by service, but they’re supported by … a two-week USO tour and a criticism of a soldier’s duties?
Yup.
@JasonKander I wasn't deployed, I just had the honor of spending 18 days in theater while visiting soldiers who actually did stuff— Curt Schilling (@Curt Schilling) 1488290388.0
A tweet like that doesn’t require a response to be more resonant, but Jason Kander gave it one anyway.
@gehrig38 Thank you for your service. We are forever in your debt.— Jason Kander (@Jason Kander) 1488290679.0
That served as Kander’s last word on the matter, but the Twitter denizens were just getting started.
@JasonKander @gehrig38 Curt Schilling, Purple Heart recipient for injuries sustained during ACLS 2004-2005 and 18-day USO short tour.— Dylan (@Dylan) 1488295863.0
Schilling doubled down, as people like this often do.
@Spi39s @JasonKander nope, just this. Nowhere near as honorable as a Purple Heart, but it's something. https://t.co/QvrkLSR2ET— Curt Schilling (@Curt Schilling) 1488295994.0
Oh, no. Schilling finished there, but one more response summed up what most every witness to this conversation was thinking.
@gehrig38 @Spi39s @JasonKander I liked you a lot better when you were just a baseball player. It was out of your depth to start thinking.— Keyser Soze (@Keyser Soze) 1488296272.0
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